Saving Sebastian by Luna David

SAVING SEBASTIAN

Release Day Review

Blurb:

Gideon McCade—weighed down by memories of his previous life as a Navy SEAL and a CIA agent—has blood on his hands. He turns to his BDSM club, Catharsis, and Dominating submissives to get him through the daily grind of civilian life. Knowing his past is too much to inflict on a life partner, he keeps his connections brief and superficial. When his former life comes back to haunt him, his desire for revenge pulls him back into the shadows, darkening his hopes for a future in the light.

Temporarily sidelining his career as a tattoo artist, Sebastian Phillips works as a composite artist for the local police department. To alleviate the inescapable burden of a congenital medical condition, he immerses himself in his art and seeks the catharsis of submission. But with life weighing heavily on his shoulders and darkness encroaching, he yearns for a contract with a Dominant that sees past the protective barriers he’s erected to the vulnerable submissive within.

When happenstance brings Gideon and Sebastian together, their connection is undeniable. The knowledge that they are both too damaged to form permanent bonds of love causes them to rely on an impersonal contract to fulfill their physical needs. But staying emotionally detached becomes impossible, and breaking their contract seems the only option. Will Gideon’s need for vengeance and Sebastian’s declining health destroy what’s grown between them, or will they help each other find their way back into the light?

Sheena's Review!

(slight spoilers)

In Saving Sebastian, we get a long, complicated, and amazing tale of two men haunted by life, circumstances, and past choices.

Sebastian is one fo the strongest and most endearing characters I have ever come across. He is so strong, and he is going through so damn much in his life that if I were in his place, I might have broken long ago. His needs as a submissive are what keeps him going. There's trouble there, though, and my heart breaks for Sebastian as he tries to find someone to meet his needs. Someone trustworthy and willing and capable has been a struggle.

Gideon!!! OMG! *gah* Gideon is my kind of alpha male. Tall, tough, steady, and so damn toppy I want to scream for him. I think I will, actually. *screams* His past is so dark and twisted and the talents and skills he learned working for the government comes in handy as he finds himself drawn back into a life he wished he could leave behind. Gideon is unapologetic in his ruthlessness. He owns it. I love that about him.

The way Sebastian and Gideon connect is amazing. So drawn to each other, they resist. The tension between the two of them is explosive and seductive. I love how they both deny themselves the relationship they obviously want--there is no easy and instant solution to the hangups they both have. Their connection, though, is real and grows with every encounter. I felt everything. I cried with them, I raged with them, I felt the fear and the affection and the absolute strength of their love by the very end. I was left stunned and drained and wanting more, but utterly content with the place they ended up.

This book is about living. How we live with what and who we are, and how we fit together. And it was a sexy, joyous and sometimes frightening journey from the very first page to the last.

5 Stars.

EXCERPT

His relief fled upon seeing Sexual Intercourse emblazoned across the top of the next page. Okay, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but it felt like that.

There were two boxes. The first of which stated: No sexual intercourse will occur between the two parties. The second of which stated: Sexual intercourse will occur between the two parties, and then further outlined possibilities for limits or stipulations regarding said sexual intercourse.

He cleared his throat. Wanting Gideon to know he had no expectations and didn’t assume the man wanted him like that, he spoke up, “We can check the first box, Sir.”

He watched Gideon’s reaction closely and confusion set in when the man didn’t react at all, besides staring at him quietly. He felt like he had to explain himself. “Um, I just mean that I’m not expecting anything. I understand if that’s not what you want from our arrangement.” When Gideon’s eyes narrowed, he realized what he’d omitted. “Sir.”

He looked down at his lap and distracted himself with petting Slap and Tickle, and scratching them behind their ears. He jumped in surprise when Gideon growled out, “Put the kittens on the floor.”

Sebastian’s eyes popped wide and he did as instructed. No sooner were the kittens on the floor than he was yanked down the length of the couch by his ankle until he was lying flat and Gideon was lying on top of him. They were face to face and Sebastian’s heart was racing, his breath coming in pants. Holy fuck, how had Gideon managed that maneuver? And was Sebastian crazy to think that was the hottest thing he’d ever experienced?

Gideon loomed over Sebastian, gently clasping Sebastian’s left leg around the calf and wrapped it around his upper thigh and did the same to Sebastian’s right leg. Sebastian couldn’t help it, he tugged Gideon even closer and crossed his ankles over Gideon’s ass. Heat flared in Gideon’s eyes and Sebastian began to rethink his offer of checking the first box.

Gideon wedged an arm under Sebastian’s back, tugging his shirt up in the process, gripping his neck. They were a hairsbreadth apart, their eyes locked on each other, Gideon’s aquamarine gaze was intense. If Sebastian didn’t get his breathing under control, he was going to pass out.

His mind shut down when Gideon’s hips began a slow undulation.

“What do you feel, boy?” Gideon’s hips rolled into his once again, making Sebastian gasp and grind his own hard cock against Gideon’s. “Answer me.”

“Your cock, Sir.”

“Does it feel good?”

Sebastian’s yes, was more an exhalation than a fully formed answer. He closed his eyes when those magical hips undulated against his again.

“Who’s it hard for?”

Sebastian’s eyes popped open, meeting Gideon’s. Unable to answer, all he could do was gasp in another breath and pray he didn’t embarrass himself by coming in his jeans.

“Who’s it hard for, boy?”

“M-me, Sir?”

“Say it again. Who’s it hard for, Sebastian?”

“Me, Sir.”

“That’s right, you. There is nothing I want more than to sink myself fully into your tight little hole. I want you, every inch of you, Sebastian. Don’t doubt it.”

Sebastian’s eyes rolled back in his head when he heard the growly whisper in his ear. He began to rub up against Gideon faster, unable to stop himself. He used the leverage of his ankles, still locked together at Gideon’s ass, to rub his hard dick against the Dom’s.

“You like that? You gonna come for me, Bastian?”

Dear god, more whispering. He’d never been called Bastian before, but suddenly he never wanted to be called anything but Bastian by the man. Well, that and boy, because that pushed his buttons too.

“That’s it, boy. Take what you need from me. Mmm, goddamn those hips can move.”

Sebastian couldn’t stop the whimper if he tried.

“Can they move that fast while you’re riding my fat cock?”

Jesus, the man would be the death of him.

“We’re gonna find out, aren’t we, boy?”

When he could no longer control his movements, he cried out, “Sir, please?”

Gideon bit down on his earlobe and growled, “Come for your Dom, boy.”

White lights flashed behind his eyelids and the longest orgasm he could ever remember having had him convulsing as volley after volley of cum shot out of his cock into his pants, leaving him limp and panting. His gasping breaths eased, his heart rate slowed, and the orgasm haze had him nearly asleep, the only thing keeping him awake was the weight of his Dom on top of him.

As the minutes ticked by, he grew embarrassed, not wanting to open his eyes and face the man that had just brought him more pleasure than he’d had in longer than he cared to admit without even touching his dick. He didn’t even know why he was feeling so self-conscious, or rather, didn’t want to admit it was because he’d come so quickly and in his own jeans. For fuck’s sake.

“Open your eyes.”

When he did, his Dom’s eyes were crinkled at the sides, his smile one of contentment and satisfaction. “Thank you, Sir.”

His blush bloomed fast and he cast his eyes down to Gideon’s lips. Lips that lowered and took his before he even had time to take a breath. Before he could contemplate that this was their first kiss, it was over, like it had never been. He glanced up into Gideon’s eyes again and smiled, shyly.

“You’re welcome.”

“Can…can I return the favor, Sir?”

Gideon slowly extricated himself from the grip of Sebastian’s legs and sat down on the couch by his feet, facing him. Pulling both of Sebastian’s feet onto his lap. “No, we still have a few things to discuss.”